Chincoteague and Cape Henlopen

Alma and I had a great time with Erica, Kate, and their girls in Chincoteague/Assateague, seeing the official pony swim, parade, and carnival.  As always, it's so great to have time with Erica and her girls. Plus, it was fun to catch up with Kate, who was my tennis partner in high school.

Then Alma and I went to Delaware to visit the beach and the bay at Cape Henlopen, a water park, and the outlet stores.  She is my favorite traveling and adventuring partner -- easy-going, flexible, creative, and joyful. Plus, she knew so much about the aquatic life in the bay!  It was awesome. While this summer has had many wonderful highlights, this time with my special girl was the best.

 

Pittsburgh

We were so grateful to be able to visit Pittsburgh again this summer.  The Kloders are always the best hosts -- delicious meals, fun adventures, and Rio! Plus, amazingly, the toaster I engraved for their wedding is still kickin'.

 

Pine Grove (6th year!)

The best part of Pine Grove is that we know the area, know what we like, and can easily get into "vacation mode."  Traditions include a park ranger talk (this year: lightning bugs), a movie at the R/C Carlisle Commons Movies 8 (this year: Into the Spiderverse), eating Al's Pizza the night we arrive, lots of bike rides and lake time, continuing on the Avengers coloring book, ice cream at the Pine Grove General Store, and playing games of Settlers of Catan and peanuts at night.  

This year's new elements were a dung beetle along the path and a trip to the US Army War College History Museum, where James knew a surprising amount about tanks, his newest obsession due to the World of Tanks video game.

I'm so grateful for this time together as a family. 

In the Heights (DeSales University)

We had a great time seeing In the Heights with Nana and Grandpa.  What a great production! Then we enjoyed a tasty meal at the Cooperhead Grill and ice cream at The Inside Scoop, which we love for its weird giant auto-mechanic-turned-ice-cream confectioner.  (His name is Chip, which somehow makes it funnier to us.)